For homeowners, a real estate appraisal is the linchpin to buying or selling their home. It allows the
property transactions to occur among the buyer, seller, real estate agent and mortgage lender.

Before an Appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know. By law, an appraiser must be state
licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Also by law, you are entitled to
receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from your lender.

To facilitate the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available)

Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years

Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway

List of personal property to be sold with the home

Title policy that describes encroachments or easements

Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property

Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their
cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available)

A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".

Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.

A list of "Proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "As Complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection,
but you should be available to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other suggestions:

Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic and crawl space

Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human
beings too! A good impression can translate into a higher home value

FHA/VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for an FHA/VA loan, be sure to ask your appraiser
if there are specific things that should be done before they come. Some items they may recommend might be:
Install smoke detectors on all levels (especially near bedrooms); install handrails on all stairways; remove peeling
paint and repaint the effected area; provide inspection access to the attic and crawl spaces.